OSU Students Travel to In the winter of 2008, Dr. Yana Hashamova taught a course on the history and (Slavic 245F). Seventy–two International Affairs Scholars from OSU took the class and during the spring break traveled on a Study Abroad Program to Bulgaria. OSU Students in Bulgaria The program was admirably organized by the Offi ce of International (photo courtesy D. Bermann) Affairs, particularly by Debra Bermann. Dr. Hashamova and Debra Bermann were assisted by Dr. Daniel Collins, Elizabeth Angerman, Meghan Davis, and Scott Boden. In Bulgaria students visited major historical and cultural sites, had a lecture on traffi cking in women by a director of an NGO (which provides services for survivors of traffi cking), and met with the director and producer of a contemporary Bulgarian fi lm, “Monkeys in Winter” (2005), which won the best Picture Award at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in the Czech Republic. Here are the students’ experiences in their own words:

“It is hard for me to classify one specifi c moment as the most memorable of the entire trip. If I had to choose one place as my favorite I would have to choose the Synagogue in Sofi a. No synagogue I have ever been in or seen matches the one we went to in Sofi a. It is an experience that I will never forget.” Benjamin Jacober

“To me, Bulgaria was not just an opportunity to get out of the country or an “exotic” location in which to spend my spring break, it was a chance for me to learn about something different. I think the biggest eye-opening experience to me was being able to apply all of the information that I learned in class to the historical pieces I viewed. It really intensifi es the learning process when you read something in a book, and then you can get up and actually see it or touch it... But learning about the Human Traffi cking laws in Bulgaria really made me realize how different our two countries are, and it makes me want to do something about it.” Emma Esmont

“When fi rst presented with the opportunity to learn about and travel to Bulgaria, I was unsure of what possibilities and experiences lie ahead. To my pleasant sur- prise, Bulgaria is rich in culture and history, effectively preserving its history and becoming a part of the continuously globalizing world.” Ariel Callion

From the Director 2 My most memorable experience in Bulgaria was the Visiting Lecturers 4 Monastery. I had no idea what to expect as we were Faculty News 6 driving through the beautiful Bulgarian countryside, but Awards 8 as we turned the corner to see the entrance, I was Graduate Student News 10 blown away. It was one of the most amazing International Careers 16 places I had ever seen. I was so impressed by the detail in the construction and artwork.” Kelsey Poole Video Conference

One more academic year is winding down and with Ukhta the Slavic Center proudly reports that it has ac- by Maria Alley complished its goals, although more can always be achieved. Let me begin with the old news that we have a new Assistant Director, Lance Erickson, who joined us in November 2007. We are extreme- ly excited to have Lance in the Center. We continue to advance our priorities and the support of Less Commonly Taught Languages is one of them. In ad- dition to funding second-year courses of languages such as Czech, Polish, Serbo-Croatian, Hungarian, and Romanian, we are commit- ted to two new languages, Uzbek and Georgian. With enormous help from the departments of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures, we now support two levels (elementary and intermediate) of each of these languages. Courses taught by Drs. Liu (NELC) and Levi (new professor of Central On May 6, 2008, The Department of Asian history), and Dr. Abdullaev (International Studies), as well as Drs. Slavic and East European Languages and Breyfogle (History) and Murvanishvili (DSEELL) can complement the Literatures and the Slavic Center hosted offerings of the two languages and creat future minors/specializations a unique video conference with students in Central Asian and Caucasian Studies. from Ukhta State Technical University and As part of our priorities, we have successfully cooperated with the the Management, Information and Busi- Department of History and the Middle Eastern Studies Center and ness Institute, in Ukhta, Russia. This was have seeded a new position in Central Asian History (Dr. Levi). You will Ohio State’s fi rst video-connection with learn more about him in our Fall 08 Newsletter. We have co-funded a university in Russia. Twelve Ohio State two visiting scholars, Dr. Abdullaev (from Dushanbe) teaching courses on Central Asia, the Taliban, and the Chechen War in International students and fi fteen students from Ukhta Studies and Dr. Shcherbak (from St. Petersburg) educating OSU stu- participated in a lively discussion in both dents on the contemporary political situation in Russia in both Interna- English and Russian on a variety of top- tional Studies and the Slavic Department. We are extremely happy to ics which included university life, studying have also supported Dr. Predrag Matejic and his graduate course on foreign languages, youth culture, and per- Eastern Orthodoxy. ceptions of the U.S. and Russia. The Center’s M.A. program changes were approved this May, now, making our M.A. degree more rigorous and competitive to answer the increased global demands for highly skilled specialists in our areas We hope that this video conference will of the world. Our proposal for a Dual Master’s Degree with the Glenn become the fi rst in a series of many such School of Public Policy has now received the endorsement of the interesting discussions with schools in dif- Graduate School and will be considered at the Council of Academic ferent Russian-speaking regions. Please Affairs (the last level of university committees). watch for further announcements of future This year, we have either solely funded and organized or co-funded video conferences. and helped in the organization of several well-accepted conferences: the International and Interdisciplinary Conference Women in War (Autumn 07), the second biennial conference of the Association for the Study of Eastern Christian History and Culture (Autumn 07), the Mid- west Slavic Conference (Spring 08), and the Slavic Linguistics Society conference, to be held in June 08. More can be read about them and our projects this year in the following pages of this Newsletter. If you have ideas for the future, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to assist you! With best wishes for an enjoyable and productive summer,

Yana Hashamova (photos courtesy R. Bias, Foreign Language Acting Director Center) Volume 35, Issue 3: Spring 2008

International and Interdisciplinary Conference on Women in War by Yana Hashamova and Helena Goscilo The Interdisciplinary Conference on Women in War on WWII and, geographically, Russia and Central Eu- at OSU, as announced in our Autumn 2007 newsletter, rope. Yana Hashamova and Helena Goscilo are editing was successfully realized October 26-28, generating a volume of selected essays from the two conferences great scholarly interest. Twenty-one thought-provoking and also preparing a cluster of women in war papers for presentations were offered to over 50 attendees. The the peer-reviewed journal “Aspasia”. conference explored the question of gender polariza- tion and politicization during times of war, re-thought Among the participants were: gender identities and positions in religious and military Ajla Demiragic (Sarajevo University) clashes, and elaborated a discourse on the subject of Julie Mertus (Co-Director of the MA program in Ethics, motherhood and fatherhood in war, contributing to the Peace and Global Affairs at American University) pursuit of knowledge that can unravel problems related Serguei Oushakine (Princeton U) to violent confl icts, identities, and security. The fi lm “Gr- Wendy Hesford (OSU) bavica” was also screened and discussed during the Trina Mamoon (University of Alaska) conference. Kirsten Rutsala (University of Oklahoma) Jessica Weinhold (University of Illinois This conference was part of a two-conference se- at Urbana-Champaign) quence on women in war. The other part, held at Univer- Jennifer Erickson (University of Oregon) sity of Pittsburgh, November 30 – December 1, focused

(photos courtesy C. Becker, Mershon Center) Drs. Hashamova and Goscilo

Study in Russia in 2009! Check out these OSU programs: CIBER - Emerging Markets Field Study Course: Moscow (Spring Break 2009) http://fi sher.osu.edu/centers/international-ciber OIA - and Society Program: Moscow & St. Petersburg (June 2009) http://oia.osu.edu OIA - Intensive Russian Language and Culture Program: Tomsk (Summer 2009) http://oia.osu.edu What are you waiting for?!

http://slaviccenter.su.edu/ 3 Center for Slavic and East European Studies

Visiting Lecturers Have an Impact on OSU and Columbus by Justin Cade

Dr. Andrey Shcherbak, St. Petersburg, Russia He has not noticed a signifi cant difference so far be- tween students at Ohio State and students at the other universities, in which he has worked, including the UK, Norway, and Russia. However, he notes with a smile that OSU students are almost always dressed in sportswear and drinking large cups of coffee on the way to class. One thing he particularly likes about OSU is that the system here is student-oriented, as opposed to the more faculty- oriented higher education system in some of the other universities, in which he has taught.

Mentioning his amazement at the sheer size of the OSU campus, he especially enjoys the Oval, which he remarks is the center of everything on campus yet still remains very clean. As far as living in Columbus, Andrey enjoys the fact that the city offers a portrait of what he calls “classi- cal American life.” He also appreciates that he can walk around town and not be overwhelmed by crowds like in New York or Chicago. However, he is not satisfi ed with the public transportation system here, arguing that if one Dr. Andrey Shcherbak of the European University in St. does not possess a car, it is practically impossible to get Petersburg, Russia, became involved with Ohio State around. Andrey comments that in Russia students attend through a PhD candidate at the European University who far more lectures but read and write much less than Ameri- had spent time at OSU as a visiting scholar. After prelimi- can students. He says, again smiling, that he enjoys the nary contacts with CSEES and meeting with the former as- American system of higher education and is appreciative sistant director, Andrey fi nalized his plans to spend Spring of the skillful, helpful and effi cient OSU faculty and staff, Quarter 2008 in Columbus. who are always ready to help within a matter of minutes.

Moldovan Healthcare Offi cials Visit OSU

In April, a group of distinguished healthcare professionals and government offi cials from Moldova visited OSU and spoke to CSEES students and faculty about the current healthcare issues in the region. The discussion, in Moldovan and Russian so students could practice their language skills, focused on HIV/AIDS and TB control in the region.

The group consisted of the Moldovan Deputy Director of the Practical Center for Public Health and Sanitation Manage- ment, the Head of Chisinau Department of Health, the Head of Medical Services for the city of Balti, and the Manager of the Comrat Family Physicians Center in the Autonomous Gagauz region. Dr. Shu-Hua Wang, Medical Director of the Ben Franklin TB Control Program at OSU and Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, provided information about simi- lar programs at OSU for comparison.

The group’s visit was organized by CSEES and the International Visitors’ Council of Columbus.

4 http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ Volume 35, Issue 3: Spring 2008

Dr. Kamoludin Abdullaev, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Kamoludin Abdullaev of Tajik State University in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, ended up as a visiting scholar at Ohio State in 2003 through Dr. Margaret Mills of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, with whom he worked for the Aga Khan Humanities Project for Central Asia in Dushanbe 1998-99. He has returned to Columbus on a yearly basis ever since.

Comparing OSU students with students from Yale, where he worked 2001-02, Kamoludin notes that OSU students are very motivated and curious. He is touched by students’ interests in Central Asia, the Caucasus and Afghanistan, noting that one of his former students from OSU, who was recently in Dushanbe on business, was able to meet with his son and go to a Tajik teahouse.

He enjoys living here and does not notice a huge Also like Andrey, Kamoludin remarks that the sys- difference between Columbus and many of the tem of higher education in Tajikistan is more faculty- other U.S. cities he has visited. He agrees with oriented and less student-oriented. He has taught Andrey about underdeveloped public transit being a at several universities both in Tajikistan and the U.S. major drawback of living in Columbus. Not having a and values the student-oriented system of American car, Kamoludin feels that it is diffi cult to see the rest higher education. of Ohio, which he would like to do.

Symposium on Central Asian Security The Center for Slavic and East European Studies along with the Middle East Studies Center hosted a panel on Central Asian Security May 23, 2008 at the Mershon Center for International Security. The two speakers were Dr. Kamoludin Abdullaev, a scholar from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and Dr. Alam Payind, Director of the Middle East Studies Center.

Dr. Abdullaev spoke about the status of societal reconciliation following the Tajik Civil War (1992-1997) and what ef- fects that has had on the regional security situation. Afghanistan and Tajikistan are at the heart of security concerns for the Central Asian region. One of the main issues is the Afghan drug trade, which traverses the former-Soviet Cen- tral Asian republics, including Tajikistan, on its way to Russia and Europe.

Dr. Abdullaev teaches three classes every spring quarter related to the former-Soviet periphery for International Stud- ies, including Central Asia in World Affairs, The Taliban: Stuggle for Power in Modern Afghanistan, and Nationalism in Post-Communist Russia: The Chechen War. Thanks to the International Studies Program for their continuous support! Dr. Payind teaches the class, Contemporary Issues in the Middle East for International Studies.

http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ 5 Center for Slavic and East European Studies

Faculty News Maria Alley (DSEELL) spoke on aca- an IREX Short-Term Research Grant for a Morgan Liu (Near Eastern Languag- demic careers at the fi rst annual OSU In- research trip to Bulgaria this summer and es & Cultures) received a Fulbright-Hays ternational Careers Week. an ACLS Postdoctoral Research Fellow- Faculty Research Abroad award for re- ship in Southeast European Studies for search in Kyrgyzstan. He also presented the 2008-2009 academic year. on academic careers at the 2008 Interna- co- Nicholas Breyfogle (History) tional Careers Week. edited Peopling the Russian Periphery: Yana Hashamova (CSEES/DSEEL) Borderland Colonization in Eurasian His- Published the following articles: “Imag- Irma Murvanishvili (DSEELL) together tory (Routledge, 2007, in the BASEES/ iner l’identité sexuelle: Salvador Dali et les with Justin Cade and Maryann Walther- Routledge Series in Russian and East Eu- fantasees sur la différence sexuelle.” Gra- Keisel (CSEES) presented a program of ropean Studies), to which he contributed diva. Vol. 9, no. 2. (Autumn 2006): 87-104. Russian and Georgian poetry about the the article, “Russian Colonizations: An (part of Yana Hashamova and Charles Caucasus at OSU Library’s ReadAloud Batson. “Dialogue autour de Dali.”); “Alek- Introduction.” He also edited Russian Re- program at the Wexner Center Cafe in sei Balabanov’s Russian Hero: Fantasies April. ligious Sectarianism, a thematic issue of of Wounded National Pride.” Slavic and Russian Studies in History, vol. 46, no. 3 East European Journal (summer 2007): (Winter 2007-8), and published “Enduring 295-312. She also co-edited a volume Rossen Vassilev (Political Science/ Imperium: Russia/Soviet Union/Eurasia (with Helena Goscilo): “Fathers and Sons UISP) His most recent publications in- as Multiethnic, Multiconfessional Space,” in Russian Post-World War II Cinema.” clude: “The New Class,” “Iron Law of in Ab Imperio: Studies of New Imperial She presented two invited talks: “Screen- Oligarchy,” “Centrism,” “Monarchy,” History and Nationalism in the Post-So- ing Traffi cking: Problems of Theory and “Chinese Revolution,” “Cult of Personal- viet Space (Winter 2008). He presented Defi nition.” University of Illinois, Urba- papers at the University of Minnesota (the ity,” “War,” “Behavioral Political Science,” na-Champaign, September 2007; and “Opium Wars,” “Individualism, ” “Ben- Immigration History Research Center and “Screening Traffi cking in the .” jamin Franklin,” “Political Psychology,” the Institute for Global Studies), the Harri- Kenyon College, February 2008. man Institute at Columbia University, and “The Palestine Liberation Organization,” at Ohio State. He continues to work as Maria Ignatieva (Theatre, OSU-Lima) and “Civil Society” in William A. Darity co-editor of the online magazine Origins: published: Interview with Boris Lubimov in Jr., ed. International Encyclopedia of the Current Events in Historical Perspective Slavic and East European Performances, Social Sciences, 2nd edition, 9 vols (De- http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/origins/, and (Winter 08); Glikeria Fedotova: Stanislav- to write his next book, “Baikal: the Great troit: Macmillan Reference USA), 2008; sky’s Artistic Mother in Slavic and East and “Changes in the Linguistic Status of Lake and its People.” European Performances, (Spring 2008); Post-Communist Bulgaria’s Ethnic Turkish submitted a manuscript, Stanislavsky and Theodora Dragostinova (History) Female Actors, to be published by the Minority” in Ernest Andrews, ed. Linguis- published “Speaking National: Nationaliz- University Press of America, in October tic Changes in Post-Communist Eastern ing the Greeks of Bulgaria, 1900-1939,” in 2008. Europe and Eurasia (New York: Columbia Slavic Review (Spring 2008). She received University Press), 2008. Slavic Linguistics Society Conference by Daniel Collins In addition, there will be 23 panels on topics that span vir- On June 10-12, 2008, The Ohio State University will host the tually every fi eld of the Slavic Linguistics Aspectology, Balkan third annual conference of the Slavic Linguistics Society (SLS). Linguistics, Cognitive Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Mor- SLS-3 is being co-organized by CSEES affi liates Daniel Collins, phology, Psycholinguistics and Language Acquisition, Sociolin- Brian Joseph, and Andrea Sims of the Department of Slavic and guistics and Pragmatics, Semantics, Syntax, etc. SLS-3 will be a East European Languages and Literatures. The conference has truly international gathering; the 70-odd speakers will come from received generous sponsorship from the Center for Slavic and universities in Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, East European Studies, as well as from the College of Humani- Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Switzer- ties, the Offi ce of the Executive Dean of the Colleges of the Arts land, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom, as well as 25 universi- and Sciences, and the Departments of Linguistics and Slavic and ties in the . The host institution is particularly well East European Languages and Literatures. represented; there will be 16 speakers from Ohio State, including professors, graduate students, and an undergraduate student. The distinguished plenary speakers will be Henning Andersen, The public is cordially invited to attend. Professor Emeritus of Slavic Languages and Literatures at Uni- versity of California, Los Angeles; Lenore Grenoble, Carl Darling For further information, including a program, see the confer- Buck Professor of Linguistics at University of Chicago; and Peter ence website at http://slavic.osu.edu/events/yr2008/sls2008/ Culicover, Professor of Linguistics at Ohio State. default.cfm. 6 http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ Volume 35, Issue 3: Spring 2008

2008 Midwest Slavic Conference The 2008 Midwest Slavic Conference was held April The 2009 Midwest Slavic Conference will also be held at 17-19, at the Blackwell Inn and Conference Center at The OSU, to be organized once again by CSEES. As part of the Ohio State University. This was the fi fth consecutive year 2009 conference, CSEES would like to announce the First that CSEES and OSU have hosted the conference. This Annual Slavic, East European, Central Asian, and Cauca- year’s event began with a keynote address by Dr. Charles sian Short Film Competition. Wise, Director of the John Glenn School for Public Affairs. An opening reception followed the keynote address. Par- This competition is designed to showcase the top short ticipants were also treated to a lunch presentation by Uni- fi lms produced by students from all Slavic, East European, versity of Pittsburgh professor Helena Goscilo, who spoke and Central Asian National Resource Centers and universi- on “Fluctuating Temperatures: Screening the Cold War Ex- ties/colleges throughout the Midwest. This is the perfect Enemy, 1990-2005.” opportunity for students to demonstrate their language skills and artistic abilities. All entries must be created and The 2008 conference saw a three-day total attendance produced by students from Slavic, East European, and of over 250 students, faculty and visiting scholars, includ- Central Asian area studies and language programs. Please ing over 70 presenters from 28 different universities from see additional rules and regulations in the advertisement at across the Midwest and the US. Panel topics covered many the back of this newsletter, and be on the lookout for a Call disciplines including anthropology, history, linguistics, lit- for Papers early this fall. erature, political science, religion, and security policy.

Special thanks to the Department of Slavic and East Eu- ropean Languages and Literatures, the Offi ce of Interna- tional Affairs, and the Blackwell Inn and Conference Center. We would also like to thank all the faculty who helped by chairing a panel during the conference:

Kamol Abdullaev (CSEES) Maria Alley (DSEELL) Trevor Brown (Glenn School of Public Affairs) Alexander Burry (DSEELL) Daniel Collins (DSEELL) Theodora Dragostinova (History) Yana Hashamova (CSEES/DSEEL) Marianna Klochko (OSU-Marion) Predrag Matejic (DSEELL) Irma Murvanishvili (DSEEL) Tatyana Nestorova-Mateijic (International Studies) Andrey Shcherbak (CSEES) Andrew Spencer (Germanic Languages and Literatures)

http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ 7 Center for Slavic and East European Studies

History Professor Wins ALCS Fellowship

Theodora Dragostinova (History) of displacement shaped the national received an ACLS Postdoctoral Re- affi liations of the population. The In the examination of the evolv- search Fellowship in Southeast Euro- book continuously juxtaposes the ing notions of nationhood among the pean Studies to complete her book offi cial emphasis on national ho- Greeks, Between Two Motherlands manuscript, Between Two Moth- mogenization with ordinary people’s detects various degrees of national erlands: Nationality and Emigra- responses to the demands of the commitment among the population. tion among the Greeks of Bulgaria, nation-state. It follows the radical- People’s national loyalties resembled 1900-1949. Her work examines ization of the Bulgarian and Greek a spectrum. Most obvious were the multi-nationality and national indif- national priorities and uncovers in- national activists, the so-called “pro- ference among the Greek minority dividuals’ uneasy adaptation to the fessional patriots,” who monopolized in Bulgaria by analyzing practices of straightforward national policies. the national discourse and whose multilingualism, religious conversion, The objective is to analyze the vari- actions are best documented in ar- the manipulation of citizenship, and ous national projects that were pro- chives. Yet, even during periods of national side-switching between Bul- posed, negotiated, adopted, or dis- national enthusiasm, there were nu- garians and Greeks. The instability of carded in a period of fi fty years. merous nationally blind individuals nationhood is examined in the con- who stubbornly stuck to their local text of the confl icting national agen- Professor Dragostinova’s research allegiances and tried to remain un- das and competing territorial aspira- is based on comparative work in Bul- noticed by national brokers. Finally, tions of Bulgaria and Greece in the garian and Greek archives as well as there were those in-between who twentieth century. oral history interviews. Her attempt hesitated to permanently adopt the is to inscribe the Bulgarian-Greek Bulgarian or Greek national cause The project underscores the ten- case in the broader context of minor- and who often switched sides. Ul- sions between nationality as a form ity politics and refugee movements timately, the goal of the book is to of cultural affi nity and national ideol- in Eastern Europe in the fi rst half of show the struggle of three genera- ogy as a political doctrine: the Bul- the twentieth century. Between 1900 tions of people to retain their murky garian Greeks considered themselves and 1949, the Greek communities identities and to choose identifi ca- heirs of ancient Greek colonists and experienced peacetime marginaliza- tions that best suited their personal identifi ed with the Greek nation, yet tion, wartime persecution, attempts circumstances. they had an ambiguous attitude to- to guarantee their minority rights, wards the Greek state and hesitated a voluntary population exchange, to abandon their places of birth in and policies of assimilation. Despite Bulgaria. The minority was gradually these challenges, the population in- pressured to adopt clear-cut national sisted on surviving as a minority in allegiances, and many reluctantly re- its places of birth and continued to Sign up for one of CSEES’ settled in Greece in the post-World push for minority rights even dur- weekly mailing lists! War One period. Only after World War ing the troublesome interwar years. Two, when the Iron Curtain separated The Bulgarian Greeks preferred to Monday Calendar of Events and Greeks, did people remain in their places of birth as a or lose their ability to choose identities minority and were ready to make and switch between nationalities. major compromises with their na- Grad/Faculty CFPs, Grants tional allegiances. This behaviors or The goal of Between Two Moth- shows that, despite the prevalence Jobs Postings erlands is twofold: to explore how of national(ist) explanations of their belonging to a particular nationality choices, individuals did not prioritize [email protected] infl uenced people’s decision to emi- nationality when making decisions grate and to ask how the experience for or against emigration.

8 http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ Volume 35, Issue 3: Spring 2008

NELC Professor Receives Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad Grant for Kyrgyzstan MORGAN LIU (Department of Near beks of the republic to reject the lib- Uzbek-language fi eldwork will focus Eastern Languages and Cultures) eral course. In light of the 2005 “Tu- on these Islamic study groups (where has been awarded a Fulbright-Hays lip Revolution” deposing President religion is taught and social issues are Faculty Research Abroad Grant for Askar Akaev for self-enrichment and discussed), interviews with religious fi eld research in Kyrgyzstan in 2009. crony patronage, and disappoint- and community leaders (regarding “Central Asian and Post-Soviet ment now with the lack of real reform private enterprise and post-Soviet Societal Transformation” is the proj- under President Kurmanbek Bakiev, socio-economic change), and ethno- ect title. there is widespread belief that Kyr- graphic observation of mosque and gyzstan could never achieve stabil- everyday neighborhood life. Analy- Muslims from Malaysia to Morocco ity and prosperity until the country’s sis of discourses discerns vernacu- are challenging the triumphalist neo- structural problems are addressed. lar Muslim “social imaginaries” con- liberal consensus promoting democ- cerning justice and collective agency, racy and capitalism as the unique aiming to contribute to scholarship path to stability and prosperity. on Muslim societies, postsocialisms, These Muslims gravitate instead to- and societal problems as emergent ward conceptions of “virtuous soci- complex phenomena. ety” whereby Islam provides the key to a nation’s most intractable prob- This project would offer for our con- lems: poverty, confl ict, injustice, and sideration a non-Western, non-liberal corruption. It is a bold claim, indeed, vision of good society and social jus- for religion to shape not merely the tice that is both modern and Muslim conduct of individuals, but the very in an increasingly interconnected societal structures of nations. But world. This is particularly important how exactly could Islam address the because Central Asia is a region of systemic ills of a society, rooted as the world with very few studies about they are in entrenched attitudes and what ordinary people there are actual- (Photo courtesy NELC) interests? ly thinking and doing. Such scholarly knowledge is necessary to enable the This project investigates how Mus- formulation of more contextually ap- lims in Central Asia are currently ar- Meanwhile, Islam has undergone propriate and successful policies for ticulating discourses about how Islam a marked resurgence among the assistance to Muslims in Central Asia would ameliorate the structural prob- Uzbeks of Kyrgyzstan, as observed and beyond. lems of society. Post-Soviet Central in mosque attendance; observance Asia presents an opportune nexus to of prayers, fasting, pilgrimage, and study this question, because it lies at modest dress; the training of native CSEES Alumni, the intersection of problematic lib- clerics in the Middle East; and the where are you now? eral reforms and rapid re-Islamization vitality of grassroots Islamic study since the dissolution of the U.S.S.R. groups (ziyofat) where they are learn- in 1991. Independent Kyrgyzstan (or ing about Islam for the fi rst time since CSEES loves to hear from Kyrgyz Republic) fi rst launched into Soviet religious repressions. Abhor- alumni and friends, so please rapid political and economic reform, ring all extremism, force, and foreign let us know your latest news but the resulting surge in infl ation, fundamentalisms, these Uzbeks seek and where you currently live unemployment, poverty, criminality, to revitalize Central Asian Islam as a or work. and corruption led most ethnic Uz- peaceful means of transforming Cen- tral Asian societies from within. My [email protected]

http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ 9 Center for Slavic and East European Studies

Faculty Awards, Cont. Graduate Student News

Mudrak () awarded Fulbright Grant Kathleen Althen (DSEELL) presented a paper titled “A Chekhovian Confession as Comedic Parody” at the 2008 Dr. Mudrak will conduct research in Kharkiv, Ukraine, begin- Midwest Slavic Conference. ning in October 2008. She will focus primarily on Ukrainian Constructivism— one of the most neglected areas of mod- Epp Annus (Russian/Philosophy OSU-Newark) present- ern Ukrainian —and its major exponent, the artist ed a paper on “Soviet Colonialism as Colonialism in Re- Vasilii Yermilov. verse” at the 2008 Midwest Slavic Conference.

By undertaking a concentrated study of Ukrainian Con- Jennifer Apple (Women’s Studies) was discussant on the structivism, her objective is to clarify the relationship panel “Gender in Central and Eastern Europe” at the 2008 between artists and industry in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s most in- Midwest Slavic Conference. dustrialized city (and capital) in the 1920s, and, primarily, to explore the development of modern photography in Ukraine Bryan Brookes (DSEELL) presented the paper “Russian developed under the principles of Constructivism during the Film: The Return” at the Midwest Slavic Conference. period of Ukrainization. Clinton Buhler (CSEES/Art History) presented a paper Hashamova (DSEELL) wins IREX Short Term Grant on “Tengiz Abuladze’s Repentance and Collective Trauma” at the 2008 Midwest Slavic Conference. Congratulations Dr. Hashamova will work on her project: Screening Traffi ck- to Clinton on successfully completing a dual M.A. in Slavic ing in Women: Prudent or Perilous. The noticeable increase Studies and History of Art. in the production of feature fi lms, TV dramas, and docu- mentaries focused on traffi cking in people reveals a better Justin Cade (CSEES) and Terry Studer (CSEES staff) understanding of the problem and a broader public interest completed a short fi lm Четыре“ милии до Грэйсланда”, in it. All these fi lms, however, invite closer scrutiny, for the a Russian and Uzbek language drama with subtitles, star- representation of traffi cking and its violence can be as peril- ring many CSEES students and staff. The fi lm was entered ous as it is helpful in addressing this twenty-fi rst century in the Wexner Center Short Film and Video Competition in Holocaust. March. The OSU premier of the fi lm was at the DSEELL Spring Kapustnik. Justin was awarded FLAS awards for For the last two years the US government has initiated a Summer 2008 to study Advanced Russian at St. Peters- fi lm outreach campaign; US embassies around the world burg State University and for the 2008-09 academic year organize screenings of traffi cking fi lms for local audiences. to study Intermediate Georgian at OSU. He presented his However, prevention and awareness campaigns have often paper “Chechnya, Abkhazia and the Question of Separat- chosen fi lms with questionable qualities, fi lms that can ism in the Post-Soviet Caucasus” at the Midwest Slavic turn away viewers rather than evoking empathy and Conference and intends to write his MA thesis on Abkha- transformation, calling for action. zia.

Dr. Hashamova’s research question is how fi lm aes- Andrei Cretu (DSEELL) chaired a panel on “Contemporary thetics create the viewer as “witness” who is open Romania” and presented a paper on “Bulgakov’s Master to transformation and action, or how cinematic and Margarita” at the 2008 Midwest Slavic Conference. properties invite suspicion and disbelief. In exploring the effectiveness of fi lm representa- Matthew Curtis (DSEELL) chaired a panel on “The Evolu- tions of traffi cking, Dr. Hashamova employs tion of the Balkan Identity” and presented a paper titled a two-fold approach. First, she tests “Language and Ideology of the 1850 Vienna Language public responses to traffi cking fi lms and Agreement” at the 2008 Midwest Slavic Confer- second, she analyzes the content ence. and cinematic properties of selected fi lms probing the empathy response that they can generate. continued on page 12

10 http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ Volume 35, Issue 3: Spring 2008

Ohio High School Olympiada of Spoken Russian by Maria Alley

On March 17, 2008, the Slavic Department with gen- Twenty-one students from Start High School in To- erous support from the Center for Slavic and East Eu- ledo, OH, competed in this year’s event. This year’s ropean Studies hosted this year’s Ohio High School winner, Andrea Reany, will be traveling to Vladimir, Olympiada of Spoken Russian, which is organized Russia on a study abroad program along with the and funded by the American Councils of Teachers fi nalists from other U.S. regions who participated of Russian. It is the oldest of all American Councils’ in Olympiada this year. In addition to classroom in- secondary school activities dating to the 1960s. struction in Russian language, literature and culture, students will live with host families and take part in In this competition, which is largely based on the long cultural tours. existing tradition of oral examinations and competi- tions in the Russian educational system, Ohio high A special thank you to all volunteer participants of school students have an opportunity to test their this year’s Olympiada! It was, by all accounts, a suc- knowledge of Russian and meet other students of cessful and enjoyable event for both the students Russian throughout the state. and organizers.

New CSEES Discussion Group by Terry Studer The Center for Slavic and East European Studies created The topic for the Winter Quarter discussion group was the CSEES Discussion Group in Winter Quarter 2008, The Veil, and the group discussed several articles related which aims to provide an opportunity for the interdis- to women’s issues in Muslim populations in Central Asia ciplinary exchange and discussion of ideas related to and the Balkans. Russia, the former Soviet Union (including Central Asia), Central, and South-Eastern Europe. The group proposes The topic for Spring Quarter was Minorities and States: to examine concepts such as (national, ethnic, religious, Central Asia, Russia, and the Balkans. All of the discus- and gender) identities, citizenship, democracy, security, sion group meetings so far have been well attended by empire, and post-communist legacy. In light of recent both faculty and students. The quarterly discussion group confl icts in the Balkans and Central Asia, the group will meetings will continue in Fall Quarter 2008. consider how to talk about the responsibility of the hu- manities and social sciences in encouraging a (renewed) If you would like more information about the discussion debate about the nature and origin of social bonds, a group and would like to participate please contact us at debate that makes possible better political responses [email protected]. to new challenges: for instance, in the modern clash of religions and the ghettoizing of communities. http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ 11 Center for Slavic and East European Studies

Graduate Student News, Cont. Eileen Kunkler (CSEES) presented Documentaries/English Language Xinran Dong (DSEELL) presented a The Center for Slavic a paper titled “Elegy for Kosovo and Extreme Engineering: Sakhalin Oil and Ice paper entitled “Requests in Academic and East European Settings in Russian” at the 2008 Mid- Muslim Identity in Yugoslavia” at the Studies would like Michael Palin’s New Europe – (2007) Travel in 20 west Slavic Conference. 2008 Midwest Slavic Conference. She to congratulate the countries including Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, will also be interning with the U.S. De- following students for Slovenia, , Bulgaria, Turkey, Transdni- SvitlanaDrahaieva-Turovska (DSEELL) partment of State in Russia this sum- completing their M.A. ester, Romania, Hungary, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, presented on screen representations mer. in Slavic and East Lithuania, Russia, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Repub- European Studies: of sexual and ethnic minorities (ME- lic and the former East Germany Seth Lewis (CSEES) presented a pa- LUS Conference, OSU) in March 2008. Unsolved History: KAL-007 – Documentary She chaired a panel on “East Euro- per entitled “Between the Bear and the Amy Baker Dragon: Assessing the Shanghai Co- World War II: The Complete History – Documen- pean Literature” and presented a pa- Clinton Buhler tary, 10 DVD set per on “Othering Russia in a Graphic operation Organization’s Future Strate- Novel or How to Please an Interna- gic Impact” at the 2008 Midwest Slavic Daniel Gray Conference. Czech (with English subtitles) tional Audience” at the Midwest Slavic Seth Lewis Conference. Sveta also gave a talk on Black Peter (Cerny Petr) - (1963) Comedy Shklovsky’s device ‘estrangement’ in Matthew Luby (CSEES) presented a Matt Luby Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (Valerie a Tyden cinema (International Conference on paper on “When Bollywood Met Bol- Divu) – (1970) Horror Narrative, University of Texas at Aus- shevism: Understanding the Popularity tin) in May. of Indian Cinema in the Soviet Union” Hungarian (with English subtitles) at the 2008 Midwest Slavic Confer- Congratulations! Little Vilma (Kisvilma) - Director’s autobiography ence. Molly Goodwin-Kucinsky (CSEES) The Rebellion of the Straw Men (Szalmabábok gave another presented a paper entitled, “Women’s Lázadása) – Fairytale Participation and Societal Attitudes to- George Lywood (History) will present paper, “Sins ward Feminism in post-Soviet Russia a paper at the Annual Conference of Against Slovak Romanian (with English subtitles) and Ukraine,” at the Midwest Slavic the Canadian Association of Slavists, or How to be un- Conference. She also received FLAS (Vancouver, BC) in June entitled “From Bohemian in the Furia – (2002) Comedy awards to study Advanced Russian in Russia’s Orient to Russia’s Riviera: The Nineties,” at the 2008 St. Petersburg, Russia this summer, Black Sea Coast through early Tourist Midwest Slavic Confer- and to study Intermediate Uzbek for Guidebooks”. He was also awarded an ence. the 2008-09 academic year at OSU. Offi ce of International Affairs grant for his dissertation research in Russia. Olha Rudich (DSEELL) chaired a Carolyn Smith Keller (Sociology) de- panel on “Gender in Central and East- fended her thesis “Gender-Related Brian Martin (CSEES) presented pa- ern Europe” and presented a paper Polices and Unequal Pay in Central and pers titled “On the Allegiance of J. on “Gender Identity in Abram Room’s Eastern Europe: How Effectively has Robert Oppenheimer” and “Beyond Film Bed and Sofa” at the 2008 Mid- the European Union Shaped Policies Weimar-Russia: Putin as Imperial Re- west Slavic Conference. and Practices for the New Members?” vanchist” at the Midwest Slavic Confer- in May, which she also presented at ence. He also received FLAS awards to Daria Safronova (DSEELL) present- the Midwest Slavic Conference. This study Advanced Russian at Saint Pe- ed a paper titled “The Book of Fyodoy summer she will be going to Warsaw tersburg State University this summer and the Book of Varlam: Revelations to participate in OSU’s “Central and and to study Intermediate Uzbek for of Truth in Non-Fictional Writings of Eastern Europe in Comparative Per- the 2008-09 academic year at OSU. Fyodor Dostoevsky and Varlam Shala- spectives” study abroad. She was mov” at the 2008 Midwest Slavic Con- also awarded a FLAS to study Polish in Mark Nuckols (DSEELL) received his ference. Krakow this summer. Carolyn received Ph.D. in Slavic Linguistics in December an Offi ce of International Affairs grant 2007. He gave a paper, “Transitivity in Douglas Shaffer (CSEES) presented for her dissertation research in Central Czech and Russian: The Animacy Par- a paper on “The Rose Revolution: Europe. adox,” at the AATSEEL Annual Confer- Georgia’s Chance for Democracy” at ence in Chicago later that month. He the 2008 Midwest Slavic Conference. 12 http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ Volume 35, Issue 3: Spring 2008

Film Additions to CSEES Library

Documentaries/English Language Russian (with English subtitles unless other- Extreme Engineering: Sakhalin Oil and Ice wise noted) Michael Palin’s New Europe – (2007) Travel in 20 12 – (2007) In Russian without subtitles. Drama countries including Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, Archangel- (2005) In English and Russian with Slovenia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Transdni- subtitles. Spy thriller. ester, Romania, Hungary, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Brother 2 (Брат 2) - (2000) Now with English sub- Lithuania, Russia, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Repub- titles lic and the former East Germany Daywatch (Дневной дозор) – (2005) Science Unsolved History: KAL-007 – Documentary Fiction/fantasy World War II: The Complete History – Documen- Eastern Promises – (2007) In English, Russian, tary, 10 DVD set Turkish and Ukrainian. Crime drama. Iris Effect, The – (2005) In English and Russian. Czech (with English subtitles) Drama Black Peter (Cerny Petr) - (1963) Comedy Italian, The (Итальянец) – (2005) Drama Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (Valerie a Tyden Mongol (Монгол) – (2007) Historical epic Divu) – (1970) Horror Roads to Kotebel, The (Коктебел) - (2003) Drama Swordbearer, The (Меченосец) – (2006) Drama/ Hungarian (with English subtitles) science fi ction Little Vilma (Kisvilma) - Director’s autobiography The Rebellion of the Straw Men (Szalmabábok Tajik (with English subtitles) Lázadása) – Fairytale Transfi guration (Digarguna) – Documentary on Tajikistan Romanian (with English subtitles) Furia – (2002) Comedy

Students, faculty, and the general public are encouraged to borrow (free of charge) any of our 2,000+ fi lm titles. A complete list of fi lms is available on the CSEES website.

Mark Soderstrom (History) was re- Nicholas Starvaggi (CSEES) is fi nish- Susan Vdovichenko (DSEELL) pre- cently awarded an IREX Individual Ad- ing his second year of graduate stud- sented a paper titled “Gender, Nation- vanced Research Opportunities grant ies toward a Dual M.A. in Slavic Stud- alism, and Violence in Before the Rain” and a Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Disser- ies and Public Policy and Management at the Midwest Slavic Conference. tation Research Abroad grant to sup- with the Glenn School of Public Affairs. port 12 months of research in archives He presented an early version of his re- Ryan Walker (DSEELL), Graduate in Russia and Siberia. His dissertation search on Belarus at the 2008 Midwest Teaching Assistant 3rd year, was a will investigate the place of Siberia in Slavic Conference in a paper entitled Graduate Representative to the Under- the Russian empire, particularly during “Prospects for Democracy in Belarus: graduate Committee from July 2006 the fi rst half of the nineteenth century. Is Another Color Revolution a Possi- through August 2007. He presented a He also received an Offi ce of Interna- bility or a Pipe Dream.” Nicholas also paper at the Midwest Slavic Confer- tional Affairs grant for his dissertation received FLAS awards to study Ad- ence and will be Resident Director for research. vanced Russian this summer in St. Pe- the Tomsk, Russian Study Abroad Pro- tersburg, and for Elementary Polish for gram 2008. the 2008-09 academic year at OSU. http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ 13 Center for Slavic and East European Studies

Emerging Markets Field Study Course Visits Moscow by James Kinard Every Winter quarter the Fisher College of Business offers group visited with McDonald’s, ConocoPhillips, Boeing, MBA program electives titled “Emerging Markets Field Ernst and Young, and Grief (an Ohio company) that fi t this Study” courses. The course meets for ten weeks and then perspective. In addition, with Amy’s contacts in Moscow, travels to the country being studied over spring break for the group secured a visit to Alfa Bank, the largest non- a ten day fi eld study. For the fi rst time in its ten year his- government bank in Rus- sia. The U.S. Commercial Ser- tory, the EMFS course this vice and the American Cham- winter focused on Moscow, ber of Commerce in Russia Russia as a destination. Pro- rounded out the visits for fessor Jim Kinard taught the the group. Several speakers course and traveled to Rus- visited the class during Winter sia without going to Tomsk, quarter including Lance Erick- his usual, actually invariant, son, assistant director of the destination for 15 years of Slavic Center. Lance’s several previous trips. years of work experience in sales and management with a Nineteen students regis- Chicago-based dental equip- tered for the class including ment and services company one non-business college was a very interesting case student, Amy Baker. Amy is study for the class. a CSEES master’s student who learned something The non business agenda about business in Russia but items included a bus tour of was an invaluable language EMFS Students on Red Square and meeting with McDonald’s the city (Moscow State Univer- expert for the group. None of Corporate Offi ce. (photos courtesy K. Kennedy and J. Kinard) sity, Great Patriotic War memo- the other eighteen students rial, Christ the Savior Cathe- had previously been to Rus- dral, Red Square, G.U.M., the sia, so the average Russian Kremlin, the Armory Museum, language skill level in the group and St. Basils ). Lenin was near zero. was not receiving visitors and the Bolshoi Theater is un- To round out the group of 22 der renovation so the group who made the trip, Prakash missed these two important Mulchandani, a senior lecturer visits. The Tsar’s cannon in accounting with substantial symbolizes the recent Rus- international business career sian reassertion of its place experience before coming to on the international scene Fisher to teach, and Maria De whether one thinks of gas Gregorio, the administrative supplies to Europe through lead for the Fisher EMFS trips Ukraine or its recent criti- and also experienced in inter- cism of the NATO membership national business, attended the candidate list including former classes and traveled to Rus- Soviet bloc countries. Separate sia. (This Winter there were a total of four EMFS elective trips to Ismailovsky Park bazaar and the Novodevichy classes going to Istanbul, Hong Kong, and Bolivia in addi- Monastery and Cemetery were also part of the cultural tion to Moscow.) events.

The focus of the trip was business in Russia, usually from As always, Moscow is an interesting city with many sights the viewpoint of a U.S. multinational corporation. The to see, some unanticipated.

14 http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ Volume 35, Issue 3: Spring 2008

CSEES P-12 Outreach Recap by Terry Studer

The 2007-08 academic year has been a busy time for In April, CSEES paired up with the OSU Ukrainian Club CSEES Outreach. All of the CSEES outreach materials have and FRUA to do a Pysanky decorating event for kids who been cataloged and made available on the CSEES website have been adopted from Russia and Ukraine. In May, CSEES (http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/p_12_outreach_home.html). visiting lecturer Andrey Shcherbak visited the Upper Arling- Pictures of the items contained in the ton Senior Center and gave a presentation Outreach Boxes, which are avail- on Putinism in Russia. able for P-12 teachers to borrow for their classrooms, are available on- In addition to community outreach line. We have also added many new events, CSEES has also been involved outreach materials to our inventory in school visits to both the Columbus- including books, foreign language area and as far away as Madison, Ohio. newspapers, and presentations. CSEES has given presentations on study- ing abroad, careers in , and There have been several major Russian sports just to name a few. In May, outreach events held by CSEES over Dr. Predrag Matejic visited The Graham the last year. In December CSEES School in Columbus and spoke on Ortho- hosted Columbus Blue Jacket play- dox Christianity. ers Sergei Fedorov, Nikolai Zherdev, and Rostislav Klesla, who met at The CSEES Outreach Team is working OSU’s Crane Café with local el- to put together more presentations and ementary school children who speak lesson plans for teachers to access for their Russian, Ukrainian, and Czech. The hockey stars played classrooms. As these new materials become available they games with the kids, signed autographs, and even shared a will be posted on our website. Downloadable PowerPoint cake celebrating Sergei Fedorov’s birthday. presentations on various topics and regions within our geo- graphic area will be available soon for teachers to access to In January, CSEES helped the Families for Russian and supplement their lesson plans. Photographs of some recent Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA) celebrate with Ded Moroz and outreach events can be found on our P-12 Outreach web- plenty of Russian candy. In March, CSEES, along with the site. Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures, hosted the High School Russian Olympiada. If you are interested in the Outreach Team visiting your High School students from the Toledo-area competed for school to give a presentation or you would like more informa- awards at the national level. tion about available teacher resource materials please con- tact us at [email protected] or (614) 292-8770.

http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ 15 Center for Slavic and East European Studies

CSEES’ First Annual International Careers Week

The fi rst annual International Careers Week was held and job opportunities, and a brief discussion of the vari- May 12 - 16 in cooperation with all fi ve Area Studies Cen- ous sectors in which students can work internationally. ters, the Offi ce of International Affairs, and the Foreign Approximately 75 students participated in opening night. Language Center. This event consisted of a different panel discussion each night and was open to the entire OSU Tuesday’s focus was “Careers in Intel” with recruiters student body. It is vital that students interested in interna- from the CIA’s Open Source Center and Directorate of tional careers begin the process early and focus special Intelligence presenting. Students learned about opportu- attention on language and cultural study of their region of nities with both agencies and how they can prepare for interest. these careers by attaining strong language and culture skills, studying abroad, and completing internships. 72 Monday was an “Introduction to International Careers” students attended this event and many had the opportu- with presentations from Lance Erickson (CSEES), Janet nity to formally interview the following two days. Stucky Smith (East Asian Studies Center’s Institute for Jap- anese Studies), Melinda Wightman (Middle East Studies The “International Nonprofi t Careers” night (Wednes- Center), and Erin Galloway (Offi ce of International Affairs). day) featured presentations from Laura Joseph (Center for Students with an interest in working overseas were given African Studies), Connie De Jong (Arts Scholars Program) ideas on how to prepare for their desired and Randy Dineen (Arts and Sciences Career Services). careers, how to locate in- Approximately 40 students learned how they can make ternship use of their language skills and international experience working with international NGOs.

Career Focus: Internships

One of the Slavic Center’s main objectives is to help stu- learn more about the host culture fi rsthand. Placements are dents secure careers which make use of their strong lan- available at many embassies worldwide and in many cases, guage skills and international experience. As such, a new students can be paid or at least receive housing assistance emphasis has been placed on the importance of building for the duration of the internship. For students interested resumes through internship experience. This option may in a career with the Foreign Service, these internships can not be as easy as a summer relaxing on the beach or tak- be invaluable experiences and help signifi cantly when tak- ing a few language classes, but the rewards are well worth ing the Foreign Service Exam. CSEES will offer an informa- the time and extra effort. Here are a few options that stu- tion session on State Department internships in October to dents may want to consider: help prepare students for the November 1st deadline (for summer 2009 interns). For more information on specifi c in- State Department: The U.S. Department of State in- ternship opportunities, please visit http://careers.state.gov/ ternship program, where students spend a summer or lon- students/. ger interning at a U.S. Embassy overseas, is an excellent option for students interested in government work. These CIA: For students considering a career in Intelligence, internships provide wonderful opportunities to gain ex- many encounter roadblocks when applying for full time em- perience working behind the scenes within the U.S. Gov- ployment following graduation. One of the best ways to get ernment and help strengthen the students’ skill set and your foot in the door with the Intel Agencies is through an resume. In addition, students are able to live and work internship program. Many of these are paid and require two overseas, where they can improve their language skills and summers. For more information visit www.cia.gov.

16 http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ Volume 35, Issue 3: Spring 2008

On Thursday, the Foreign Language Center in Hagerty ars Program, Center for African Studies, Center for Lat- Hall hosted the third annual Foreign Language Center’s in American Studies, Center for International Business Career Night. Over 17 organizations had recruiter booths Education and Research, Department of Near Eastern available for students to gather additional information and Languages and Cultures, Department of Slavic and East submit resumes. A roundtable discussion followed with a European Languages and Literatures, East Asian Studies group of professionals describing how languages are an Center and Institute of Japanese Studies, Foreign Lan- integral part of their everyday jobs. Rebecca Bias (Foreign guage Center, Middle East Studies Center, the Offi ce of Language Center) and Carol Robison (Center for Latin International Affairs and Study Abroad, and the Younkin American Studies) participated in this discussion. Success Center.

Friday was “Careers in Academia” night and included a discussion of what students can do to prepare for gradu- ate study and how to build their CVs. Presentations were given by Morgan Liu (Near Eastern Languages and Cul- tures), Melinda Wightman (Middle East Studies Center) and Maria Alley (Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures).

With over 200 students participating in International Ca- reers Week, it is apparent the event fi lled a profound need. CSEES and the other Area Studies Centers will continue to provide career services to students at OSU and plans for 2008-09 are already in development.

We would like to thank all the students, faculty, and staff who helped make this event such a great success: Arts and Sciences Career Services, Arts Schol-

Department of Energy: For students with an interest in nuclear nonproliferation, the U.S. Department of Energy offers the Nonproliferation Graduate Program, which is a year-long internship that pays over $40,000. For more in- formation visit http://ngp.pnl.gov. Upcoming Career Events 2008 Nonprofi t Organizations: Students interested in non- profi t work have numerous options to intern with NGOs September Resume Workshop for Incoming working with democratization, human rights, traffi cking M.A. students and abuse, microfi nance and development, just to name a October State Department Internship few. It can be more diffi cult to secure funding for some of Panel these positions, but the practical experience gained is well worth the sacrifi ce. For more information on opportunities November Networking Skills Workshop with NGOs, please visit the CSEES website. December Interview Skills Workshop Internships are excellent opportunities for all students, undergraduates and graduates, so see what is available for your area of interest and let’s get to work!

http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ 17 Center for Slavic and East European Studies

OSU Ukrainian Club’s Busy Year OSU Russian Club Update

The Ukrainian Club, led by President Diana Laluk and faculty OSU’s Russian Club was extremely active during advisor Dr. Myroslava Mudrak, was busy in its fi rst year back the 2007-08 academic year. Led by president Kelsey from hiatus. Highlights of the year include a Ukrainian movie Willingham and faculty advisor Dr. Daniel Collins, as night, a Psyanky demonstration for adopted children from Rus- well as graduate advisor Bryan Stout (CSEES), the sia and Ukraine (as well as another demonstration for students Club hosted quarterly events such as a Russian dis- on the Oval), and one of the most popular booths at the Taste cothèque, Russian Cuisine Night, regular game nights of OSU. Offi cers for 2008-09 will be Valerie Szepiwdycz (Presi- and various other activities. Offi cers for 2008-09 will dent), Damian Hruszkewycz (Vice President/Treasurer), and be Sasha Kutsovskaya (President), Vladimir Sharkov Lesia Pawlyszyn (Vice President/Secretary). (Vice President) and Robert Stang (Secretary/Trea- surer). Congratulations to the new offi cers and sincere thanks to Many thanks to Kelsey and the group for so many Diana and the entire group! wonderful activities throughout the year, and we look forward to a busy 2008-09 with Sasha and the other new offi cers.

The Ukrainian Club demonstrates their cooking skills at the annual Taste of OSU (photo courtesy V. van Buchem) and meets with students on the Oval.

The Russian Club hosted a Victory Day celebration in the courtyard of Hagerty Hall.

LOOKING FOR A JOB? DON’T KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR FELLOWSHIP INFORMATION? TRYING TO TRAVEL/STUDY ABROAD AND DON’T KNOW HOW?

http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/

your Slavic source for Slavic resources!

18 http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ Volume 35, Issue 3: Spring 2008

OSU Russian Club Update CSEES welcomes new Assistant Director Yiddish Theater Comes to OSU by Maryann Walther-Keisel The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry comes to the stage. In November 2007, the Slavic Center welcomed But this time, the cheers are in Yiddish! “Laughter in Lance Erickson as our new assistant director, suc- Three Languages: English, Yiddish and Yinglish”, a ceeding Luke Wochensky who left to work in St. Pe- Yiddish Theatre performance by alumni Dorothy and tersburg, Russia, earlier Autumn Quarter. Reuben Silver, took place May 22, 2008. Lance received his B.A. in Political Science and “Laughter in Three Languages” is a GOAL (GO Russian and East European Studies from the Univer- Global, Go Local) event and tells the humorous sity of Illinois, and his M.A. in Russian, East Europe- story of a recent Yiddish-speaking immigrant who an and Eurasian Studies from the University of Texas stumbles upon an OSU-Michigan football game and at Austin. He comes to us from Indiana University cheers for both sides! The play is a unique format where he served as Academic Advisor and Assistant of theatrical storytelling, using Yiddish, English and a Director for Student Services since 2005. In addition blend of both languages—Yinglish. “We translate ev- to his administrative experience, he has spent con- ery story immediately from Yiddish to English,” Doro- siderable time working in Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania thy Silver said. “So, the play and the jokes are totally and Kazakhstan in the private sector. understandable to people even if they don’t speak Yiddish.” The 85-minute performance also details the His knowledge of National Resource Centers humor, frustration and achievements of the immigrant through his work at Indiana, as well as his contacts experience in the United States. with business and government agencies have al- ready enhanced the Slavic Center’s operations. His “The immigrant experience is a historic part of this genial personality, boundless energy and determina- nation’s life and is relevant to all audiences,” Reuben tion to ensure each of our graduate students leaves Silver said. “After all, we all came here from some- OSU with an internship or a job have made an im- where else in the world.” The show is sponsored by pact already. the Students of Yiddish in the Department of Ger- manic Languages and Literatures, the Department of , Lance! Добро пожаловать Theatre and the Department of Slavic and East Euro- pean Languages and Literatures.

OSU Celebrates Navruz

Uzbek Professor Hulkar Matchanova and the Uzbek classes hosted the fi rst annual Navruz cel- ebration this March in Hagerty Hall, complete with authentic Uzbek cuisine, music and decorations. Thanks to Hulkar for the extraordinary food and to the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures for their support. CSEES looks forward to celebrating this spring festival on an annual basis.

CSEES MA student Seth Lewis enjoys some Uzbek cuisine.

http://slaviccenter.osu.edu/ 19

Acting Director Yana Hashamova

Assistant Director Lance Erickson

Office Coordinator Maryann Walther-Keisel   Outreach Coordinator Rules: Pieces must be independently produced by current students, no longer Terry Studer than 20 minutes in length, and shot between April 20, 2008 and February 1, 2009. All films must be in a Slavic, East European, Central Asian, or Caucasian language and include English sub-titles. Entries must be submitted on DVD. All Office Assistants entries must be received by February 1, 2009.

Cari Mullinax Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top rated entries and will be showcased Anastasia Patoka during the 2009 Midwest Slavic Conference.

       2009 Midwest Slavic Conference The Ohio State University April 16-18, 2009

Center for Slavic and East European Studies Non-Profit Org. 303 Oxley Hall U.S. Postage 1712 Neil Ave. PAID Columbus, OH 43210-1219 Columbus, OH Permit No. 711